A woman from Florida recently discovered she owes hundreds of dollars after unexpectedly losing her Medicaid benefits.
This issue comes amid a lawsuit against the state, claiming it has unlawfully removed beneficiaries from Medicaid rolls. Many affected individuals are sharing their experiences of losing their health coverage without clear reasons.
The federal class action lawsuit contends that Florida failed to uphold residents’ rights to due process and fair hearings as dictated by the Medicaid Act. Plaintiffs allege the state incorrectly stated they were ineligible due to income exceeding Medicaid limits.
Since this unwinding process began, around 1.8 million Floridians have been dropped from Medicaid, with a significant number classified as ineligible based on their income.
Bev Dolgin, a 75-year-old resident of West Palm Beach, is among those impacted. Although she inherited a condo, her financial situation deteriorated after relocating to a pricier area. Disabled and without a vehicle, Dolgin lives on a monthly Social Security check of $1,542 and often relies on food stamps.
Dolgin faced several setbacks, including losing both her car and home. To complicate matters, her husband fell ill and eventually passed away, leaving her struggling with just debts. “I had to fend for myself,” she said, explaining that her application for Medicaid was a last resort.
At the end of 2023, she received Medicaid approval, but by June of the following year, a letter from the state informed her she was no longer eligible. To make things worse, they would stop covering her Part B Medicare premiums, which pay for essential medical services.
Dolgin expressed her shock and devastation over the abrupt loss of coverage, pointing out that the state’s letter lacked compassion and clarity: “I was told I made too much money, but that was all,” she lamented.
Florida’s recent “unwinding process” removed pandemic-era Medicaid protections. As those protections faded last year, the state began dropping beneficiaries due to missed deadlines and changing eligibility.
Following her denial, Dolgin contacted the Department of Children and Families but received no helpful answers. She officially appealed the decision in June but has yet to get a response. Now, on top of losing coverage, she’s been notified of over $400 in owed fees, further straining her finances.
Wider Implications
Dolgin’s case highlights a broader issue as Florida navigates the fallout from the Medicaid unwinding. The ongoing lawsuit alleges that the state’s termination notices are vague and fail to clarify the reasons behind disenrollment. If the judge rules in favor of the plaintiffs, some may regain Medicaid benefits temporarily. In the meantime, many, like Dolgin, face serious hardships.
“Florida’s unwinding policy is a tragedy for nearly 2 million people,” Dolgin said, urging the government to reconsider its approach and reassess residents’ economic situations before making such decisions.
Many newcomers moved to Florida for its sunny weather but now find themselves grappling with soaring costs for essentials like food, gas, and housing. “Floridians are in worse health—physically, emotionally, and financially—than ever before,” Dolgin stated, urging the state to prioritize its citizens’ welfare.
She’s now hoping for a miracle, wishing for a Florida where residents can take pride in their living conditions rather than feel like pawns in a bureaucratic game. Dolgin also questioned why the government seems neglectful towards its aging population, particularly given that Florida has the third-largest senior demographic in the country.
As of 2021, about 4.6 million seniors lived in Florida, representing over 20% of the state’s total population, highlighting the pressing need for compassionate and effective healthcare solutions.